AFC Wimbledon co-founder Ivor Heller has demanded a formal apology from the Football Association for the 2002 relocation of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes. The 63-year-old delivered a letter to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham at Wembley, describing the move as football's "crime of the century" that continues to wound supporters.
Heller calls for the FA to order Milton Keynes to drop the 'Dons' name from their club, a moniker he finds "deeply offensive". He recalls the FA commission's report on May 28, 2002, which declared it "would not be in the wider interests of football" for Wimbledon to restart. Heller locked himself in his print works after what he calls the "devastating verdict" delivered at 11am that day.
The birth of AFC Wimbledon
Out of that decision, Heller and fellow founders Marc Jones, Trevor Williams, and Kris Stewart established AFC Wimbledon later in 2002. The phoenix club achieved a remarkable return to the English Football League in 2011, a year ahead of their own ten-year target. Heller says he has only cried twice over football, with the first occasion being during an FA Cup match at MK Dons in 2012.
"They may as well call themselves MK Coco Clowns, or whatever they want to call themselves," Heller said. "Because it just makes no sense."
He argues the FA should focus on its own history before addressing global issues. "If they want to put it right with Infantino, I think they should get their own house in order first and put right what happened to us," he added, referencing FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Current focus on the pitch
While this historical grievance persists, the current AFC Wimbledon squad is building its own story in League One. The Dons sit 7th in the table with 10 points from six matches, just three points behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses from the last five, including a 1-0 victory over Doncaster on September 12 thanks to a Myles Hippolyte goal.
Top scorer Myles Hippolyte has three goals this season, a key figure as the team prepares for its next challenge. The focus now shifts to a tough away fixture against 4th-placed Cambridge United on September 26. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
The club's journey from fan-owned rebirth to a solid League One presence is a narrative of resilience. Heller's letter to the FA shows that for many supporters, the healing from 2002 is not complete. The team continues its campaign at the Abbey Stadium in eight days' time.
The report in full is at The Sun
